Protect Your Child from Swine Flu

The H1N1 flu, also known as "swine flu," struck in the spring of 2009, just as many schools were making preparations for letting out for the summer. In the United States, several schools closed at the first sign of an infection, which had been recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). However, there was eventually a backlash against this type of action as fears of the new flu being as deadly as first thought were mostly alleviated as few deaths occurred.

With schools facing the possibility of the H1N1 flu returning this year during the height of flu season, late fall and winter, the HHS has issued new guidelines for schools, their staff and their students.

First of all, schools are being given more leeway to choose whether they should close or not, balancing the risk of flu in their communities versus the disruption a closing, especially one that lasts a long time, would create to parents and students.

If an outbreak similar to the one in the spring occurs, the HHS guidelines recommend good basic personal hygiene, such as washing hands on a regular basis. If a student of staff member experiences flu-like symptoms, they are recommended to stay home until at least 24 hours after fever symptoms have disappeared.

More aggressive measures may become necessary if a more serious outbreak occurs. Parents should be advised to check their children every day for any flu symptoms before sending them off for the day. Schools may also find it necessary to screen students on a daily basis as they arrive and sending home any that exhibit flu-like symptoms.

Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Diarrhea and vomiting have also been associated with the H1N1 flu.

It is suggested schools have a plan in place, such as where to put people who exhibit flu-like symptoms suddenly during the school day. For example, a room in the building should be provided for people to go and stay until they can be picked up.

Schools also need to have in place a way for students stricken with the H1N1 flu to continue their education from home, whether by using homework packets or Internet lessons. They will also need to have a plan on what to do if their healthcare providers, such as school nurses, become infected and are unavailable for a lengthy period of time.

"We can't stop the tide of flu, but we can reduce the number of people who become very ill by preparing well and acting effectively," said Dr. Thomas Frieden , director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

As for parents and students, their biggest responsibility is to get the H1N1 influenza vaccine that will be offered by the federal government in the coming weeks and months. There is an increased concern over young people getting the novel H1N1 flu since it seems to disproportionately impact those between six months and 24 years.

"The H1N1 flu appears to be impacting a group of people who not only aren't used to getting serious cases of the flu, but are not used to getting flu shots," said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

She also suggested, in the case of older teens and college-age students, using social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter could help get the word out.

Taking common-sense approaches to infection can help limit the impact H1N1 might have this school season on institutions, staff and students. Hand washing, covering mouths when coughing or sneezing, getting both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines as soon as possible, being aware of and watching for signs of flu and separating those with symptoms from healthy people are all steps that should be taken.

Sources:

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/08/20090820a.html

http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/08/20090807a.html

http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/qa.htm